2018 Geneva Motor Show: Fresh Faces

By Brian Rafferty, 09 Mar 2018Events

Geneva wasn’t purely about the fast and futuristic. Some of the most relevant reveals for Aussie buyers are updated models headed our way.

Motor shows are a great opportunity for car manufacturers to whip the covers off their latest and greatest, but what about the updates to already existing models? Here’s a quick rundown of the facelifts shown at the Geneva motor show that we can expect to reach Australian shores.

Alongside the AMG GT 4-door and GT Black Edition, Mercedes revealed updates to the C-Class line-up and the introduction of a new base model; the C200, powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four producing 135kW/280Nm and incorporating a mild hybrid system Mercedes calls EQ Boost. EQ Boost comprises a 48-volt battery and motor combination that couples to the starter-alternator and offers the engine an extra 10kW and 160Nm for brief periods.

The 220d, meanwhile, receives a new 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four producing 143kW/400Nm. That’s a handy 18kW power increase over the outgoing 2.1-litre engine, teamed with better fuel economy at 4.4L/100km.

The range tops out with the C43, its 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 now tweaked by AMG for a 17kW gain for outputs of 287kW and 520Nm.

All these models receive the same nine-speed automatic transmission, with the AMG C43 retaining Mercedes’s 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system.

The exterior is garnished in a new array of chrome trim, while the headlights are updated with ‘Multibeam’ LED units, housing some 84 individually controlled LEDs that can allow sections of the beam that would blind oncoming drivers to be shut off. The interior is updated and takes touchpad multimedia and ‘Linguatronic’ voice control systems from the upper-echelon S-Class.

Further details and pricing are yet to be announced but Mercedes expect the new models to go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The Czech manufacturer unveiled a refreshed Fabia ahead of Geneva, with the updated car on display throughout the weekend. The Fabia is the smallest car in the Skoda range with the updates to the model mostly cosmetic and tech related. The two three-cylinder turbo-petrol engines remain unchanged; a 1.0L, 70TSI model with 70kW/160Nm and a 1.2L 81TSI model with 81kW/141Nm. The base model still comes with a five-speed manual transmission while the top-of-the-range gets a seven-speed dual-clutch.

However the exterior sees upgrades to the front and rear ends, optional 18-inch wheels and new headlights incorporating LEDs with high beam auto-switching. The new Fabia also boasts an improved safety suite that includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reversing camera and auto emergency braking. The interior also receives a new instrument cluster, upgraded trim and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and optional sat-nav.

The updated Fabia is expected to arrive in the latter half of 2018 with prices starting at $16,990

A fresh-faced Mazda6 sees the exterior design refined to better match that of the current CX-5, while the update adds the 170kW/420Nm turbo-petrol four from the CX-9 to the engine line-up. The upgrades continue through to the suspension which is retuned and combines with a rigidly-mounted steering rack that promises to improve the steering response and handling.

The interior is upgraded for a more premium feel with timber, suede and leather, along with NVH improvements targeting a reduction in road noise.

The fresh Mazda6 is expected to go on sale mid-2018 with a change in price not yet announced.